Scientists have discovered giant sinking mucus "houses" that double the amount of food on the sea floor.

The mucus houses, or "sinkers," are produced by tadpole-like animals not much bigger than your index finger. As sinkers drop to the sea floor, small sea critters and other food particles get stuck to the mucus and end up on the bottom of the ocean.

For years scientists have observed loads of life at the bottom of the ocean. But they weren't able to find enough food - carbon - to support all that life. Sinkers, previously overlooked, may help fill that gap.

"We have 10 years of data on sinkers, and using average figures from those years, we can account for twice as much carbon than sediment traps can measure below 1,000 meters," Rob Sherlock of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute told LiveScience.

Sharks are surface feeders so watch out... Seems like now the only safe place to be in the sea if you're in 50 feet of water is the 25 foot mark which is basically a no man's land. Gotta watch out for those alligator snapping turtles too. The ones that have the little red lurl for a tongue and powerful jaws that could take a foot off. Next time you venture out into a lake and feel those big rocks under your feet, you could be standing on one their backs.

Did you read the thing? They're at the bottom of the ocean....1000m or so....do you know anyone who swims down there besides aquaman?

D

Click to expand...

Yes I read the article.

Quote

The mucus houses, or "sinkers," are produced by tadpole-like animals not much bigger than your index finger. As sinkers drop to the sea floor, small sea critters and other food particles get stuck to the mucus and end up on the bottom of the ocean.

Click to expand...

It mentions "as the sinkers drop to the sea floor." So in another words the "sinkers" have to be dropping from somewhere. That is where my reference of possibly swimming in the area. Once on the bottom, that is when they become food.

MacRumors attracts a broad audience
of both consumers and professionals interested in
the latest technologies and products. We also boast an active community focused on
purchasing decisions and technical aspects of the iPhone, iPod, iPad, and Mac platforms.